Atletico Madrid are said to be weighing up a sensational move to rescue Fernando Torres from his Chelsea hell.

Torres, who moved to the Blues in a £50million deal in January 2010, has struggled badly since his switch to Stamford Bridge and reports in Spain now claim he could be offered a cut-price return to his homeland this month.

The 28-year-old is currently having his best season yet in a Blues shirt, bagging 14 goals in all competitions, but the arrival of Demba Ba is rumoured to have left Torres’ fragile confidence shattered, with manager Rafa Benitez unable to raise his spirits.

Benitez excused the Spain striker’s terrible performance against Swansea in midweek due to an upset stomach, but the manager appeared to show it was more than that by dropping Torres for the crunch clash with Stoke.

The local Madrid media now claim that Torres has told friends he wishes to return to his first club Atletico, and Vicente Calderón Stadium bosses are working on a deal to partner him with current leading marksman Radamel Falcao.

The big issue remains agreeing a fee, with Atletico short of funds, but a loan deal until the end of the season could be an acceptable compromise in the short term.

That would give Atletico time to raise extra cash, with striker Adrian – a target for Arsenal – likely to be moved on to fund the switch.

Torres is currently contacted to Chelsea until 2016 and is still thought to hold a market value of at least £20million.